SAGINAW COUNTY, MI — Saginaw County programs for homeless families and individuals were awarded $1.7 million, according to a statement released by the U.S. Housing and Urban Development April 8.

The funding is part of $56.3 million the federal government awarded homeless assistance programs throughout the state. This year’s amount is about $2 million less than what the state received last year.

On the local level, Saginaw County received about $90,000 less than last year. Many homeless assistance organizations across the region rely on the funding.

Mary Ellen Johnson is the President of the Saginaw County Youth Protection Council and chairs the Saginaw County Consortium of Homeless Assistance Providers. She said the drop in funding had an affect mainly on services for victims of domestic violence and programs that help homeless individuals and families transition out of homelessness.

“It did impact us,” she said. “It’s a reduction in two critical services, but, overall, we still have very strong support systems.”

In addition to domestic violence survivor support, the consortium focuses on rapid re-housing and assistance for teen mothers.

This year’s decrease in grant availability can be attributed to 2013’s federal budget cuts, known as the sequester, Johnson said. She said in order to receive more money, Congress would need to increase appropriations for HUD.